How fruitful the family tree

Family is, in my opinion, one of the absolute most important things in life, which is why I find it interesting that it is also, in my opinion, one of the things that people take for granted.  Too often I hear people talk about their hatred or embarrassment toward their families, and not in the teasing kind of way.  What about the people who have no family at all?  Don't you think they would love to have an annoying mother or a strict father? 

Within roughly two years of my life, I lost all four of my grandparents and what was left of my family experienced two divorces, completely splitting everyone up.  Instantly I wished I had done more.  I didn't wish that there was more time or that they could come back because I knew the blame lay with me. I didn't go see my grandparents as much as I should have, knowing that they couldn't physically bring themselves to me. I didn't handle divorce in the best way possible, making things worse than they already were.  I took for granted the single most important thing in my life, and I will never have a re-do or a second chance to fix what was broken. 

This isn't my sob story about the negatives in my life, and it isn't me trying to depress you all.  It is simply a wake-up call, a reality check, an alarm sounding to tell those of you who are like me to get your act together before it is too late and to remind those of you who already know the value of your loved ones that we aren't here forever. 

Everyone has their own belief about where life takes us once our time on Earth is finished. Some believe we simply sit in a box in the ground or in an urn on a mantle and that is the end, while others believe there is a greater life on the other side of death in which we can reunite with those who have passed before us.  Either way, the time that we have now is something everyone can agree on.

This past weekend I spent a day with my boyfriend's "grandmom" and was reminded of what it was like to have a grandmother of my own.  We shopped and baked and reminisced for hours on end and I realized how lucky he is to have a woman like that in his life; how lucky I was to have that at least for the time that I did.

Whether it is a parent, sibling, extended relative or a pet turtle doesn't really matter.  What is essential is to grasp the gift that life truly is and to appreciate the people that exist within our own.  Immortality is not something I desire, but love, fulfillment, fond memories and a life lived without the burden of regret are definitely at the top of my list.